Key Takeaways:
– Trump’s defamation lawsuit against ABC has reached a settlement.
– The media corporation will donate $15 million to Trump’s Presidential Library.
– Critics of the decision have taken to social media, expressing concern over ABC’s actions.
ABC Settles $15 Million Defamation Lawsuit with Trump
Over the weekend, Donald Trump and ABC reached a notable agreement. The media mogul intended to lay the lawsuit allegation to rest. This move involves ABC making a hefty $15 million contribution to Trump’s Presidential Library.
Details of Trump’s lawsuit against ABC
The legal dispute unfolded when George Stephanopoulos, an anchor at ABC, made a false statement on air. He claimed that Trump had been held civilly liable for acts of sexual misconduct against author E. Jean Carroll. In truth, Trump was found liable for defaming Carroll and for incidents of sexual abuse.
As part of the settlement, ABC will reportedly make a formal apology.
Public Reaction Surrounds Settlement Decision
News of the settlement drew a quick response from public figures and commentators across social media platforms. Some voiced their critiques of ABC’s decision to settle, expressing concerns that it signaled a retreat from robust journalistic defence against defamation claims.
Oliver Willis, a reporter, characterized the event as a sign of democracy’s downfall. Former prosecutor Joyce Vance reflected back on a time when news outlets would tenaciously confront similar incidents. She noted the active resistance against defamation cases by presidential candidates.
Similarly, Allison Gill, a well-known legal analyst, also slammed the settlement. In her opinion, this was a case ABC could have won if they had chosen to confront it. She pointed out that the cost of carrying out a full legal battle with Trump wouldn’t surpass the agreed payout.
Tech reporter Matt Novak echoed the same sentiment. He advised ABC that their move could potentially affect the larger public in the long run, hinting that the decision could be strategic from management’s perspective.
Outspoken human rights attorney Qasim Rashid raised his voice against legacy media and their profit-driven approach. He called it a blatant failure and emphasized the importance of independent voices and funding in maintaining media honesty.
Foundation and Museum in the pipeline?
Democratic elections attorney Marc Elias noted a significant detail in news reports. The ‘charity’ mentioned in these reports is reportedly a presidential foundation and museum that Trump aims to establish.
With ABC’s funding, Trump is one step closer to this endeavor. But the media giant’s decision to settle with such a large sum continues to raise eyebrows among the public and industry insiders.
To summarize, ABC’s settlement of the defamation lawsuit involving Trump has been met with widespread criticism. The fear that this action will severely undermine media’s standing in future defamation cases lingers. As the dust settles on this heated issue, time will more clearly tell the impact of this unprecedented development.